Proposed Changes to St. Ann’s New Home Get Landmarks OK

April 24, 2012 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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By Linda Collins

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

MANHATTAN — The proposed exterior redesign of the new home for St. Ann’s Warehouse in DUMBO was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) at its meeting yesterday.

It was previously approved by the Community Board 2 (CB 2) Land Use Committee last week (12-0-0) and by its Executive Committee on Monday (9-0-0).

St. Ann’s new home, at 29 Jay St., corner of Water Street, is a brick warehouse that was built between 1975-77. The application is to alter the facade and install signage and lighting.

The LPC vote was unanimous, 9-0, according to Lisi de Bourbon, press secretary, who noted that commissioners found the new entrances on Jay and Plymouth streets would not damage the building.

“They also found that the materials and signage were in keeping with the character of the DUMBO Historic District and would not overwhelm the building,” she told the Eagle.

In his presentation before the CB 2 Land Use Committee last week, Eric Chu, an architect with Beyer Blinder Belle, called the structure a “non-contributing building” within the historic district. According to Chu, plans call for the following changes:

• Creating a large new public entrance with three doors — two of which will open outward together for egress — in place of an existing single door;

• Installing new AC units on the roof;

• Painting the St. Ann’s Warehouse name in large letters on the building’s two brick faces;

• Attaching lighted poster boxes that will be used for promoting performances; and

• Installing four lighting fixtures, also on two sides of the building, “that will wash down the brick walls.”

Chu noted that the area is pretty dark and the fixtures will provide light on the sidewalk. He also told committee members the light fixtures can be painted — brick color for the building lights and black for the poster boxes.

Additionally, the theater will be wheelchair accessible and the new AC units on the roof will not be visible, he said.